What can I do in first year to get ready for internship applications?

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BIOMMMM

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Hi everyone,

Accepted vet student going into first year at OVC here! Now that I've gotten into vet school I have no where to put all of my nervous energy so I want to start planning for after vet school (yes I'm enjoying the feeling, and taking the opportunity to relax before I get my butt kicked for four years)! I actually can't help myself. 😛

I very interested in specializing after school and I was looking for some tips for things I can start doing now, to make my application the most competitive it can be for internships! I'm interested in specializing in small animal medicine, and there are several fields I can see myself enjoying (cardiology, emergency medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, neuro, surgery ect.)

I know that high GPA/Class rank, and good LOR's are important, and I know research experience is good to have, but if I don't have that will it hurt my chances? I was planning on working in the teaching hospital at my school every summer to gain experience (exposure to lots of specialties), would this be enough, or should I try to focus more on getting research experience, even though in the future I'd prefer focus on clinical aspect rather then research?

Any input you have would be appreciated!
 
There are usually quite a few opportunities to get involved in research at veterinary schools. Most profs have some sort of research project going on. That said, I really wouldn't expect that to have a huge impact on whether or not you get an internship when you graduate, especially if your major interests lie in the clinical areas (as it appears they do). Of course, interests change a lot over the course of vet school. I would recommend you just take advantage of as many opportunities as you can in vet school. Clubs often have wet labs, etc. that can help you determine what you are really interested in. Grades definitely matter if you want to specialize, and developing good relationships with professors and clinicians (who give you LORs) is obviously important. But I really think you're looking a bit too far ahead right now. Just work hard and have fun - everything will fall into place.
 
MassDVMMPH said:
There are usually quite a few opportunities to get involved in research at veterinary schools. Most profs have some sort of research project going on. That said, I really wouldn't expect that to have a huge impact on whether or not you get an internship when you graduate, especially if your major interests lie in the clinical areas (as it appears they do). Of course, interests change a lot over the course of vet school. I would recommend you just take advantage of as many opportunities as you can in vet school. Clubs often have wet labs, etc. that can help you determine what you are really interested in. Grades definitely matter if you want to specialize, and developing good relationships with professors and clinicians (who give you LORs) is obviously important. But I really think you're looking a bit too far ahead right now. Just work hard and have fun - everything will fall into place.
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I know I'm looking pretty far ahead but I'm a planner so I really like to have an idea of what needs to happen for the future. Its actually extremely stressful for me when I can't! Most people keep telling me how I am looking to far ahead and don't bother answering my questions. So thank you for doing both!!

Don't worry I'm not going to be a gunner. Of course I want high grades (I dislike the phrase C's get degrees), and I'm ambitious (you kind of need to be to get into vet school), but the only competition I have is with myself, I'm not a kiss ass, and I don't care if people praise me for doing my job. Honestly, I just want to accomplish my stuff...I don't know how to say that without being cheesy :whistle::whistle:

Edit: For LORs, is it okay to ask residents or interns or is it better to stick to asking faculty, if I'm getting them from the teaching hospital I work at?
 
Research is much more valuable for some specialties versus others. Based on the ones you mentioned, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It might look nice for oncology, but the rest likely won't care. I would instead use the time to focus on summer externships and networking.

You mean LORs for residencies and internships? I would stick to faculty. Of course, some of the current residents may be faculty by the time you apply, so don't discount them either.
 
Just a warning...sometimes a C in a vet school class is a tremendous accomplishment. You could bust your butt pouring over the material, and a C may be the best you can do. During your first year, figure out how veterinary school works, get to know your classmates, and explore some clubs. You've got plenty of time before the internship match come fourth year. Don't burn out before you've even begun.
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
Research is much more valuable for some specialties versus others. Based on the ones you mentioned, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It might look nice for oncology, but the rest likely won't care. I would instead use the time to focus on summer externships and networking.

You mean LORs for residencies and internships? I would stick to faculty. Of course, some of the current residents may be faculty by the time you apply, so don't discount them either.
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Thanks for the advice! I'm defiantly going to keep my options open as I still really don't know what I want to specialize in yet other then small animal. Every time I get to see something new I think, that it would be so cool to specialize in. I'm glad that research isn't required and I can focus more on clinical aspect, which is what (so far) I seem to enjoy more!

Thanks for the tips!
 
Yep. I'd say for specialties like pathology and oncology, research can definitely be a plus. Not so much surg and such. I mean, if you can get involved in a retrospective clinical case study or something that'd be nice. But not pure benchwork.
 
-Research won't hurt you in your applications. How much it will help is debatable, and varies based on the type of internship you want to do and the specialty you want to go into. Do it if you think you'll enjoy it, but don't do it just to tick off a box on your applications.

-I wouldn't ask a junior resident for a recommendation. I asked for one from a resident in her last year, mostly because she had worked with me more closely than the senior clinicians and could give the best assessment of my strengths. Even that was somewhat unusual, and my other recs came from seniors. Don't ask an intern. Interns are children.
 
pooter said:
-Research won't hurt you in your applications. How much it will help is debatable, and varies based on the type of internship you want to do and the specialty you want to go into. Do it if you think you'll enjoy it, but don't do it just to tick off a box on your applications.

-I wouldn't ask a junior resident for a recommendation. I asked for one from a resident in her last year, mostly because she had worked with me more closely than the senior clinicians and could give the best assessment of my strengths. Even that was somewhat unusual, and my other recs came from seniors. Don't ask an intern. Interns are children.
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Just because you feel like one doesn't mean you should label all your colleagues similarly.

I would never refer to any of the residents or interns I know (hell, even students I manage) as children unless they take great pains to act like it.
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
Yep. I'd say for specialties like pathology and oncology, research can definitely be a plus. Not so much surg and such. I mean, if you can get involved in a retrospective clinical case study or something that'd be nice. But not pure benchwork.
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I'm interested in a surgical residency down the line and most of my mentors have told me research is a must while in school. I'm working on a project at the moment and hoping to get one or two papers out of it and first or second authorship.. while I know that it doesn't hurt, is what I'm doing helpful or just what's expected and kind of 'meh'?
 
Rwwilliams said:
I'm interested in a surgical residency down the line and most of my mentors have told me research is a must while in school. I'm working on a project at the moment and hoping to get one or two papers out of it and first or second authorship.. while I know that it doesn't hurt, is what I'm doing helpful or just what's expected and kind of 'meh'?
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Is it clinical research (i.e. patient and medicine based) or basic science (i.e. hardcore immunology, molecular biology, whatever). The former would be a feather in your cap, the latter overkill IMO. Then again, I'm not in surgery.
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
Is it clinical research (i.e. patient and medicine based) or basic science (i.e. hardcore immunology, molecular biology, whatever). The former would be a feather in your cap, the latter overkill IMO. Then again, I'm not in surgery.
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Clinical research. I wanted to steer clear of basic sciences and actual lab work.
Also, I'm relatively new to the research game, but I feel like there are a decent number of students I know that "do research" but don't get a paper out of it. I know it's dependent on the field they want to go into, but how good does it look if you just have "did research" on VIRMP or a resume rather than publications?
 
Rwwilliams said:
Clinical research. I wanted to steer clear of basic sciences and actual lab work.
Also, I'm relatively new to the research game, but I feel like there are a decent number of students I know that "do research" but don't get a paper out of it. I know it's dependent on the field they want to go into, but how good does it look if you just have "did research" on VIRMP or a resume rather than publications?
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Ahh yes, that is different then. Being involved in clinical research may well be beneficial. A pub is also definitely a plus, but not necessarly a minus if you did research and didn't have one (as long as the research was short-term...if you worked with someone for a few years and didn't have anything to show for it that might be a different matter).
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
Ahh yes, that is different then. Being involved in clinical research may well be beneficial. A pub is also definitely a plus, but not necessarly a minus if you did research and didn't have one (as long as the research was short-term...if you worked with someone for a few years and didn't have anything to show for it that might be a different matter).
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Awesome, thanks for the insight!
 
I would add for the ophtho field - research is a must. Having a publication with first authorship is even better. As noted by WhtsThFrequency - clinical research is more common than basic science. Take time to settle into vet school, and as you go through the curriculum, you may find yourself being drawn to one or two specialties more than the others. Once your interests are more defined, then contact the professors in those specialties - ask about research opportunities, recommended places for preceptorships/externships, etc.

I concur with the gunner comments 🙂

You're clearly a very motivated individual - wish you the best!
 
Just browsing on the VIRMP I've noticed that most specialized internships require you to do a SA rotating internship, then the specialized internship, before moving onto the residency/DVSc portion. Are the specialized internship's necessary, or do they just give you more of an edge when applying to specific residences?

You have my word I will do my very best not to be a gunner, veterinary medicine has been my goal since I was little and I'm sure a lot of people on this forum can relate, I'm just SUPER excited for this process to begin! Besides I'm asking all of this for a friend any way lol :whistle::whistle:🙂
 
BIOMMMM said:
Just browsing on the VIRMP I've noticed that most specialized internships require you to do a SA rotating internship, then the specialized internship, before moving onto the residency/DVSc portion. Are the specialized internship's necessary, or do they just give you more of an edge when applying to specific residences?

You have my word I will do my very best not to be a gunner, veterinary medicine has been my goal since I was little and I'm sure a lot of people on this forum can relate, I'm just SUPER excited for this process to begin! Besides I'm asking all of this for a friend any way lol :whistle::whistle:🙂
Click to expand...

Specialty internships are typically backups for applicants who don't get into a residency straight out of a rotating internship (which is now becoming increasingly common). You can apply to specialty internships and residencies at the same time on VIRMP and will automatically be considered for a specialty internship if you fail to match to a residency.
 
BIOMMMM said:
Of course I want high grades (I dislike the phrase C's get degrees), and I'm ambitious (you kind of need to be to get into vet school),
Click to expand...

This is almost everyone that goes into veterinary school. We all have constantly reached for high grades and are all highly ambitious people to get to where we are. But sometimes a C in vet school is an amazing accomplishment. That isn't to say that you can't get higher grades, of course you can, but don't get so bogged down in wanting super high grades that you become burnt out when you hit that one class that no matter how hard you try, a C is the best you can do and is a damn good accomplishment. I'm not saying you will for sure get a C in your vet school career, but you very well might. And you should be happy for that accomplishment, not upset because it is a "C" (not saying you will be but based upon your posts now it seems like you could allow a C to get you down).

I think everyone else has given great recommendation for what else you can do, but don't be too focused in one specific area yet. You still have plenty of time. Heck I am 10 months from graduating (hopefully) and I still have no damn idea what I will be doing and whether or not I will be applying for an internship or not applying for one.
 
BIOMMMM said:
Just browsing on the VIRMP I've noticed that most specialized internships require you to do a SA rotating internship, then the specialized internship, before moving onto the residency/DVSc portion. Are the specialized internship's necessary, or do they just give you more of an edge when applying to specific residences?

You have my word I will do my very best not to be a gunner, veterinary medicine has been my goal since I was little and I'm sure a lot of people on this forum can relate, I'm just SUPER excited for this process to begin! Besides I'm asking all of this for a friend any way lol :whistle::whistle:🙂
Click to expand...
In my (limited) experience and research, it depends. I know, that's everyone's favourite response. One of the residencies I'd like to pursue requires a specialty internship and whaddya know, specialty internships usually require rotating ones. So, it totally depends.
 
Rwwilliams said:
In my (limited) experience and research, it depends. I know, that's everyone's favourite response. One of the residencies I'd like to pursue requires a specialty internship and whaddya know, specialty internships usually require rotating ones. So, it totally depends.
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what field are you interested in that requires a specialty internship? i was unaware of any that actually required it first, i just know that as residency spots get more competitive, people often turn to a specialty internship to make themselves a more appealing applicant
 
jmo1012 said:
what field are you interested in that requires a specialty internship? i was unaware of any that actually required it first, i just know that as residency spots get more competitive, people often turn to a specialty internship to make themselves a more appealing applicant
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Surgery. The specific residency I've been looking into requires it, it's not a surgery thing it's more like a "this hospital" thing.
 
Does anyone on here have any information about Canadian's going through Cornell's internship/residency program at all? I was looking at their requirements and its unclear to me whether or not they even take international applicants for intern/residency's.
Or experience with Cornell's program in general?
 
BIOMMMM said:
Does anyone on here have any information about Canadian's going through Cornell's internship/residency program at all? I was looking at their requirements and its unclear to me whether or not they even take international applicants for intern/residency's.
Or experience with Cornell's program in general?
Click to expand...

I don't know but I do know that you are thinking way too far ahead. Way too far. And even if something is true right now today, that doesn't mean it will be the same in 4 years when you would be considering applying for internships. If I were you, I wouldn't be spending a ton of time currently looking at specific programs, get through some of vet school first and see what you are truly interested in. Even then, it is a bit early to be looking at specific programs.
 
DVMDream said:
I don't know but I do know that you are thinking way too far ahead. Way too far. And even if something is true right now today, that doesn't mean it will be the same in 4 years when you would be considering applying for internships. If I were you, I wouldn't be spending a ton of time currently looking at specific programs, get through some of vet school first and see what you are truly interested in. Even then, it is a bit early to be looking at specific programs.
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Oh I know I'm looking way to far ahead, but the clinic is slow today and I'm just doing a bit of research since I forgot to bring a book! I also wanted to get an idea of going somewhere international for an internship/residency as its kind of a scary thought.
 
BIOMMMM said:
Does anyone on here have any information about Canadian's going through Cornell's internship/residency program at all? I was looking at their requirements and its unclear to me whether or not they even take international applicants for intern/residency's.
Or experience with Cornell's program in general?
Click to expand...

Yes they take Canadians, I have a classmate who is doing her internship there now.
 
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